Kim Chun Guk (Photo: European Institute of Asian Studies)
DPRK state media reported on 18 May (Friday) that the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium appointed Kim Chun Guk as the country’s new ambassador to Italy. Kim has served as the director of the DPRK Foreign Ministry’s European Bureau (department) for a number of years. During the late 1990s and early 2000s Kim managed negotiations with the European Union and participated in the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in 2000, Spain in January 2001, Germany in March 2001 and Luxembourg, also in March 2001. It is not clear what nonresident ambassadorships Kim will hold. His predecessor in Rome, Han Tae Song, was also nonresident ambassador to Malta, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus and San Marino. KCNA reports:
Kim Chun Guk was appointed as DPRK ambassador to Italy, according to a decree of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly.
Meanwhile, Ho Jong Man has been appointed chairman of Chosen Soren (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan; Chongryon), filling the vacancy left by the February 2012 death of So Man Sul. KCNA/Kyodo report:
The pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan said Saturday Ho Jong Man, its chief vice chairman, has been chosen as its new chairman.
The move came after So Man Sul, former chairman of the group known as Chongryon, died of heart failure in February. So had been chairman since May 2001.
DPRK Ambassador Kim Son Gyong (L) presents his credentials to the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegovic (R) (Photo: Office of the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
ONASA reported on 15 May (Tuesday) that Bakir Izetbegovic, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Chairman of the Presidency), met with and accepted a letter of credence from Kim Son Gyong (Kim So’n-kyo’ng) who was recently appointed ambassador. According to the country’s news agency, Kim and Izetbegovic discussed “the possibilities of improved cooperation between the two countries with an emphasis on economic and cultural relations.” Kim is resident ambassador in Romania. This represents a slight shift in the DPRK’s diplomatic missions in eastern Europe, as the previous ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina was resident in Bulgaria. In the spring of 2011, the DPRK established a small trade presence in Bosnia, and extended members of the Kim Family reside in Bosnia, including a grandson of Kim Jong Il’s who attends an international school south of the capital Sarajevo.
President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegovic (L) poses for a photograph with DPRK Ambassador Kim Son Gyong (R) (Photo: Office of the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
DPRK Ambassador Hyon Hak Bong (File photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall)
Meanwhile, Hyon Hak Bong (resident in the UK) presented his credentials to Albert II, King of Belgium, on 9 May. KCNA reports:
The king said though Belgium and the DPRK are far away from each other geographically, they have great potential to cooperate in various fields, adding that Belgium hopes for further development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
He also expressed hope that the tensions would be defused on the Korean Peninsula and the north-south relations would improve
DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th R) visits the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex in Songrim, North Hwanghae Province, on 15 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK state media reported on Wednesday (16 May) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim inspected the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex on Tuesday (15 May). KCNA reports:
The workers of the complex are making achievements in updating it and producing heavy-duty rails true to the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.
Going round gas generation and high temperature air combustion heating process and various other places, the premier learned in detail about the progress made in updating the complex and held a consultative meeting.
The meeting discussed the issues of implementing the WPK’s policy on modernizing railways and replacing the existing rails with heavy-duty ones, pushing forward the updating of the complex and keeping rail production going at a high rate. It took measures to ensure that relevant units satisfactorily ensure the supply of raw and other materials needed for production.
The premier got familiar with the management and operation of the hostel and supply service.
Stressing the need for the officials to provide the workers with convenience on a priority basis and take good care of their living, by learning from the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble outlook on the people. He took measures to complete the construction of dwelling houses as early as possible.
DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (3rd L) talks to a vendor at the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair, during a 15 May 2012 tour (Photo: KCNA)
Later in the day, Choe visited the the 15th Spring International Trade Fair being held at the Three Revolutions’ Exhibition in Pyongyang.
The premier also visited the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair on the same day. He underlined the need to positively develop the bilateral and multilateral cooperation among countries and regions in the economic and trade fields.
View of opening ceremony of the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair. The ceremony was held on 14 May (Monday) (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK Vice Premier and KWP Political Bureau Member, Kang Sok Ju (2nd L) is briefed on products displayed at the spring trade fair on 14 May (Photo: KCNA)
Pyongyang’s 15th Spring International Trade Fair, scheduled from 14 thru 17 May, displays the products of companies from 14 different countries. On Monday (14 May) the trade fair had its opening ceremony. KCNA reports:
Present at the opening ceremony were Kang Sok Ju, vice-premier of the DPRK, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, and others, delegations of different countries and regions and diplomatic envoys of various countries and staff members of foreign embassies here.
A congratulatory speech by O Ryong Chol, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, followed an inaugural speech made by Kim Mun Jong, president of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation.
Speakers welcomed delegations of different countries and regions participating in the fair.
They said that the fair is a prestigious international economic gathering which reflects the desire and wish of mankind to establish a new international economic order based on independence and achieve the common prosperity and development.
He hoped that they would make good achievements through broad contacts and positive trade dealings.
They declared the DPRK would in the future, too, further expand and develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade with all countries and regions on the principle of equality and mutual benefit.
At the end of the ceremony, the participants looked round products from companies of the DPRK, Netherlands, Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the UK, Austria, Italy, Finland, Poland, Australia, Malaysia, Mongolia, China and Taipei of China.
DPRK Ambassador Hyon Hak Bong reviews a troop presentation outside of Áras an Uachtaráin (President's House) in Dublin on 14 March 2012 (Photo: Laura Hutton, Photocall)
Newly appointed DPRK Ambassador to the UK, Hyon Hak Bong (Hyo’n Hak-pong) presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Ireland, Hyon’s nonresident diplomatic mission. KCNA reports:
Ireland hopes for boosting the friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK in the political, economic, cultural and other fields, said the president of the Republic of Ireland on March 14.
Micheal Higgins made the remark when he was presented with credentials from Hyon Hak Bong, DPRK ambassador to the country.
The president expressed deep condolences again over the unexpected demise of leader Kim Jong Il.
The friendly and cooperative relations between Ireland and the DPRK are developing on good terms in various fields after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the president said.
The president wished the dear respected Kim Jong Un great success in his work for developing the country’s economy and improving the standard of people’s living.
DPRK Ambassador Hyon Hak Bong (R) presents his credentials to Irish President Michael Higgins (L) on 14 March 2012 at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin (Photo: Laura Hutton, Photocall)
Three news ambassadors have presented their credentials to President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The new ambassadors for Mozambique, North Korea and Lao attended the ceremony this morning along with some family members and officials from their embassies.
New ambassador Hyon Hak Bong of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was accompanied by the first secretary from the North Korean embassy. Carlos dos Santos of Mozambique and Khouanta Phalivong of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic were both accompanied by their wives.
The government was represented at the ceremony by Joe Costello, who is Minister of State for trade and development at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The ambassadors received an army escort of honour as they were driven to and from the Áras, consisting of a motorcycle detachment from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron from Cathal Brugha Barracks.
The guard of honour outside the Áras was given by soldiers from the 1 Southern Brigade, 4th Infantry Battalion from Collins Barracks in Cork under the command of Lieutenant Ruairi O’Connor.
The U’nhasu Orchestra gave its first performance in Paris on Wednesday, 14 March to a sold-out audience. The concert was divided into two parts with the U’nhasu playing its own set of DPRK chestnuts, followed by a joint performance of Korean and European pieces with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France. KCNA reports:
The Unhasu Orchestra of the DPRK gave a performance before full house at Pleyel Theater in Paris on Wednesday.
The Pleyel Theatre opened in 1927 is one of the modern theatres for orchestra in France.
Enjoying the performance were Frederic Mitterand, minister of Culture of France, the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France, the former minister of Culture, personages of various strata, music experts of France, people from all walks of life in France, the chief and staff members of the DPRK mission and staff members of various foreign missions in France and Koreans living in different parts of France.
Prior to the performance, the French minister of Culture and the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France made speeches.
They welcomed the visit of the Unhasu Orchestra to France and introduced it.
In the first part of the performance, the Unhasu Orchestra gave a separate presentation and its second part was devoted to a joint concert with the French orchestra.
Staged in the first part were numbers like orchestral music “Swinging Girl”, duet of national musical instruments “Vinalon Extending 3 000-ri”, orchestral music “Attraction”, unaccompanied violin solo “Nilliriya” and orchestral music “Sinau”.
Staged in the second part were numbers like “Brahms Concerto No.9″, orchestral music “Arirang” and “Carmen Suite”.
They sent warm applause to the performers, expressing admiration at the Korean musicians’ high level of rendition and conducting skill with deep understanding of the Western music, to say nothing of the national music.
Organizers of the performance expressed thanks to the dear respected Kim Jong Un with broad magnanimity and noble traits who made sure that the excellent orchestra perform in France.
The audience expressed their hope that the Unhasu Orchestra would often come to France to give performances.
A North Korean and a French orchestra held a landmark joint concert in Paris on Wednesday, helping to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Pyongyang’s Unhasu Orchestra performed North Korean songs and French composer Camille Saint-Saens’s Violin Concerto at the packed Salle Pleyel theater before holding a joint concert with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.
The joint orchestras performed Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 and Korean folk song called “Arirang” under the baton of renowned South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun.
Chung, who organized the joint performance, said after the concert that he chose Arirang because it is the most well-known and loved song by Koreans before the division of the Korean Peninsula.
North and South Korea have remained technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
The sold-out performance was broadcast live by a French network.
It marks the first time the Unhasu Orchestra has held a concert in Paris, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs.
On Tuesday, the Unhasu Orchestra paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.
The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchanges between the two countries would develop in the future, noting the joint performance would be of significance in showing the development of bilateral cultural relations, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.
Kwon Hyok-bong, who leads the Unhasu Orchestra, also voiced hope that the joint performance would offer an opportunity to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries and expand their relations in various fields, the KCNA said in a dispatch from Pyongyang. Kwon made the comment in a news conference on Tuesday.
North Korea and France do not have formal diplomatic relations, but France opened an office in Pyongyang last year to foster cultural exchanges.
Chung unsuccessfully pushed for an inter-Korean concert due to lingering political tensions over the North’s two deadly attacks on the South in 2010.
Kwon Hyok Bong (2nd Row, 2nd R) stands behind Kim Jong Un at an U'nhasu Orchestra Concert. Kim Ok, Kim Jong Il's widow, is at the right (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)
Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee Vice (Deputy) Director Kwon Hyok Bong has given media interviews and conducted other public activities whilst in Paris. During 2011-2012, this has been the second occasion Kwon led a DPRK performing arts group on a tour outside the country. Kwon also ferried the P’ibada Opera Troupe through its tour of China from late October 2011 to January 2012, although he was not present for the entire tour. KCNA reports:
Kwon Hyok Bong, advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute who is heading the Unhasu Orchestra on a visit to France, was interviewed by foreign reporters on Mar. 13.
The news conference followed the trial joint performance by the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra which was videoed by 41 leading mass media of the world including AFP, various TV channels and radios of France and Reuters, CNN, Yonhap News of South Korea and Asahi Shimbun of Japan.
Answering the reporters, Kwon said he was pleased to hold a joint performance at the invitation of the French government.
The cultural exchange between the two countries had already begun in the 1970s with the Mansudae Art Troupe’s visit to France, he said, adding the bilateral cultural exchange is given continuity by the orchestra’s visit.
The performance will be given, divided into two parts, and in the first part the Unhasu Orchestra will perform Korean music and French traditional music, he said, adding: In the second part the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra will jointly perform.
He stressed that this joint performance would mark an important occasion for boosting the bilateral cultural exchange and expanding the bilateral ties in various fields.
On Tuesday [13 March] Kwon met with the director of Radio France:
Kwon Hyok Bong, head of the Unhasu Orchestra on a visit to France, who is advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.
Present there were leading officials of the Unhasu Orchestra, the chief and staff members of the DPRK mission in Paris, those related to the Bureau of the Radio Broadcasting of France and the music director of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.
The general director warmly welcomed the Orchestra’s visit to France, saying that a joint performance of the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France would be of great significance in showing the development of cultural relations between the two countries as well as the DPRK’s level of culture and arts.
The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchange between the two countries would develop in all aspects in the future on the basis of the achievements made in the joint performance under the concern of the French government.
Kwon Hyok Bong said that this performance would mark a watershed in boosting the cultural exchange between musicians and, furthermore, expanding the bilateral relations to various fields.
He noted both France and the DPRK have rich potentials to comprehensively promote the development of the cultural relations for the commonness in long-standing cultural tradition and history.
He also expressed expectation that the concert would offer an important occasion in helping the French people understand the musical art of the DPRK and boosting the ties of friendship between the two peoples.
The U’nhasu Orchestra also met with the director of Radio France:
The Unhasu Orchestra led by Kwon Hyok Bong, advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute, on a visit to France Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.
Present there were leading members of the Orchestra, the chief of the mission of the DPRK in Paris and its staff members, officials concerned of the Radio Broadcasting of France and the music director of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.
The general director welcomed the Orchestra’s visit to France, saying that a joint performance of the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France would be of significance in showing the development of cultural relations between the two countries as well as the DPRK’s developing culture and arts.
The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchange between the two countries would develop in the future on the basis of the success made in the joint performance to be given under the concern of the French government.
The head of the Unhasu Orchestra had a press conference on the same day.
Attending it were reporters of 41 major media of the world including AFP, various TV channels and radio broadcasting services of France, Reuters, CNN, Asahi Shimbun and Yonhap News of South Korea.
The head of the Orchestra, answering the questions raised by reporters, expressed belief that the joint performance would offer an opportunity of boosting the cultural exchange between the DPRK and France and expanding the relations between the two countries in various fields.
Former Minister of Culture Jack Lang, member of the National Assembly of France, visited the Unhasu Orchestra in the run-up to the performance and asked the head of the delegation to convey sincere thanks to the DPRK government for sending the prestigious or
DPRK Ambassador to Cuba Jon Yong Jin (L) shakes hands with Cuban Vice President Maria Bejerano (R), whilst presenting his credentials on 13 February 2012 (Photo: Granma)
On 13 February 2012, Jon Yong Jin presented his credentials to Cuban Vice President Gladys Bejerano (a.k.a. Gladys Maria Bejerano Portela). For a number of years Jon served as vice chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, with a portfolio for science and technology. According to ROK media Jon is a nephew of National Defense Commission Vice Chairman Jang Song Taek. Jon was appointed DPRK Ambassador to Cuba by the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium in January 2012. After presenting his letter, Jon met with Bejerano as well as Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez (a.k.a Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla).
Ambassador Jon (R) presents his letter to Maria Bejerano (L), one of Cuba's vice presidents on 13 February 2012 (Photo: Granma)
KCNA reported on 18 February on Jon’s arrival in Cuba:
Gladis Maria Bejerano Portela, vice-president of the Council of State of Cuba accepted credentials from Jon Yong Jin, DPRK ambassador to his country, on Feb. 13.
He said: I, on behalf of the Cuban party, government and people, express once again deep condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il to our regret.
Kim Jong Il was a close friend of the Cuban people. He always paid deep attention to the steady development of the fraternal relations between Cuba and the DPRK.
We hope that the Korean people will register greater successes in the efforts to build a thriving socialist nation under the wise leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.
The Cuban government will in the future, too, develop the friendly and cooperative relations in an overall way in all fields, cherishing deep the comradely obligation with the DPRK as intended by the supreme leaders of the two countries.
On 17 February 2012 Hyon Hak Bong presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II (Photo here). A former deputy director-general in the DPRK’s Foreign Ministry, Hyon was appointed DPRK Ambassador to the UK by the SPA Presidium in early December, prior to Kim Jong Il’s death. According to the Court Circular: “His Excellency Mr. Hyon Hak Bong was received in audience by The Queen today and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Court of St. James’s. Mrs. Choe Jin Ok was also received by Her Majesty.”
KCNA reports:
Hyon Hak Bong, DPRK ambassador to the UK, on Feb. 17 presented his credentials to Elizabeth II, queen of the UK.
She wished the dear respected Kim Jong Un great success in his work to build a thriving nation and improve the standard of people’s living.
She hoped everything will go on well in the DPRK under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.
Noting that the bilateral relations have developed on good terms over the last ten odd years since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, she hoped that the two governments would positively cooperate with each other in various fields.
The “Pyongyang Restaurant” was launched late last month under a joint venture between North Korea and two Dutch businessmen. While North Korea is known to operate dozens of restaurants across Asia, it is the first time a North Korean restaurant has opened in Europe, with the exception of a canteen that briefly operated near the North Korean Embassy in Vienna in the mid-1990′s, according to a local source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The restaurant is staffed by nine North Koreans, including the director and manager, Han Myong-hee, who worked for 15 years at a North Korean restaurant in Beijing operated by the North’s ruling Workers’ Party.
Pyongyang Restaurant, which seats 24 people, has its walls covered with pictures of Pyongyang and North Korean nature, while its menu consists solely of a nine-course meal priced at 79 euros (US$104).
Han said there are plans to offer more affordable dishes such as Korean noodles and dumplings after the restaurant’s official opening on Feb. 17.
“After our official launch, we plan to gradually serve a variety of dishes and during lunch hours as well,” she said. The restaurant currently serves only dinner.
The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by the North Korean ambassador to Switzerland, other North Koreans, and key figures from the Netherlands and different European nations, Han said.
Analysts said the restaurant is likely to serve not only as a source of much-needed cash but also as a bridge to Europe for the isolated North.
“North Korea has been putting a lot of effort into normalizing relations with European nations since 2000,” said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. “The opening of North Korea’s first restaurant in Europe can be seen as the North’s attempt to improve ties with the West through exchanges at the civilian level.”
The DPRK-PRC border (yellow line) from Pyo'ktong County (Photo: Google image)
The county center of Pyo'ktong County, North P'yo'ngan Province (40 35' 23" N 125 19' 43"E) (Photo: Google image)
As 2011 draws to a close, several media reports have come out about DPRK citizens who are unaccounted for or difficult to locate. On or around 20 November, eight (8) members of the Border Security Command’s 10th Brigade fled the DPRK for China. During a routine shift change, two guard teams fled from Pyo’ktong County, North P’yo’ngan Province into the Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning Province. Two of the guards were shot by other BSC guards during the escape. Daily NK reports:
According to the source, the group of armed soldiers made their escape at around midnight. They were reportedly from the Byeokdong County in North Pyongan Province, which faces Kuandian County along the banks of the Yalu River.
It is still unclear whether the escapees clashed with Chinese soldiers during their escape. However, the rumor is that they paid off local soldiers to turn a blind eye, although there is also talk of some modest clashes.
The North Korean soldiers are believed to have belonged to a border guard brigade responsible for things like preventing defections and smuggling. The source says that the soldiers conspired to escape together in two teams during a guard change.
Usually during a night shift, one two-man team stands fifty meters apart on guard while another team of three or four patrols the area. There are no changeovers for those standing guard, but the patrol team switches once every two hours, meaning that the group defection probably took place while the patrol team was changing over.
According to the source, armed People’s Liberation Army personnel were dispatched to key locations around Kuandian County as soon as Chinese officials became aware of the incident, fearing the possibility of a shootout with the North Korean soldiers trying to escape. In particular, dozens of soldiers were placed at railway stations and other transit points to try and stop the escapees from trying to avoid detection and make their way further inland.
Armed Chinese soldiers could also be seen patrolling Dandong railway station and other areas as late as December 11th. This served to further increase tension in the area because of the ensuing ID checks, leading to incidences of people being unable to verify their identities being taken in. Chinese commuters were further inconvenienced by ticket inspections at two or three times their usual level.
For their part, the North Korean authorities are understood to have sent several dozen NSA agents directly to Dandong to work on apprehending the fugitives. Numbers of NSA agents have been particularly high in areas of large numbers of Koreans since the event. The authorities are trying to find the escapees on foot, searching Sanma Road (the ‘Korea-Town of Dandong’) as well as the Xinliu shopping district and development areas.
Immediately after the incident the jamming of electronic signals between China and Sinuiju appeared also to have been stepped up, with areas usually receiving adequate telephone reception constantly dropping out.
Ri Chun Hui finishes her report on Kim Jong Il's written interview with ITAR-TASS during the 19 October 2011 KCTV news broadcast (Photo: KCNA) news broadcast
Meanwhile, Japan’s Radiopress noticed that Ri Chun Hui (Ri Chun-hu’i) has not appeared on Korea Central TV’s news broadcasts in nearly two months. Ri was last seen reading DPRK media’s account of Kim Jong Il’s interview with ITAR-TASS on 19 October. Perhaps, she has remained behind the camera in the intervening weeks to allow more youthful broadcasters the chance to “gloriously inherit and develop the revolutionary tradition.” Korea Real Time reports:
She speaks in an inimitable style that mixes a kind of breathy quality with whatever the news calls for – exuberance when talking about the dictator’s greatness and stentorian power when talking those awful governments in the U.S. or South Korea.
To an outsider, it’s a style that’s hard to take seriously, but it has earned Ms. Ri fans among the North Korean followers.
In recent days, news organizations in Japan that regularly monitor the North’s TV broadcasts say that Ms. Ri hasn’t been on the air since Oct. 19, when she read a statement her big boss Mr. Kim gave to Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency.
That’s a long stretch away from the nightly news in Pyongyang. And Mr. Kim has been busy during that time with his normal activities of attending concerts, visiting factories and giving the wave at military drills.
And in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovenia, Toru Tamakawa of Asahi Shimbunvisits the local branch of the United World College. Outside the students’ residence hall, Tamakawa may have encountered Kim Han Sol, the son of Kim Jong Nam and grandson of Kim Jong Il. Asahi Japan Watch reports:
But when it comes to Kim Han Sol, everyone said, “We have been told not to say anything (about him).”
Then I felt I was being watched.
A short man with Asian features was watching me from behind a bus stop 20 meters away.
The man, with a crew cut and wearing a dark-brown jacket, was talking on a cellphone while watching me.
He was strange, so I decided to take a break somewhere and lose the man.
I stopped into a cafe and had coffee. After 15 minutes, the man had gone.
Whew.
I started walking again toward the dormitory.
Then somebody called to me from behind, “Are you a journalist?”
I turned and saw the man I had seen a while ago.
He fired more questions before I had answered his initial question.
“I am a journalist coming from South Korea. Are you coming from Japan? Which press? TV?”
He was smiling, but his eyes were not.
He was not carrying a camera, a notebook or a bag.
It was my turn to ask the questions.
“Which news agency do you belong to? Newspaper? Television?”
Without answering, the man suddenly ran toward the student dormitory.
Thereafter, I saw him many times around the school and the dormitory.
(Is he a security guard the North Korean authorities sent?)
(Or is he Kim Han Sol’s guardian?)
One thing was crystal clear–he was keeping an eye on the media.
The school dormitory was about a 30 minutes’ walk from the school.
The building has six stories and its exterior is painted a crisp blue and white.
I tried to talk with the dorm manager, but was told sharply, “No media are admitted.”
I waited outside the compound until it was almost night, but Kim Han Sol did not show up.
I decided to return the next morning.
It was still dark at 7 a.m. A young Asian-looking man wearing a blue jumper came out of the dormitory.
He was wearing black-framed glasses and had an earring in his left ear.
It was him, the youth whose picture had been posted on the Facebook social networking site.
His hair was black, unlike yellow as the Facebook photo showed.
“Hello, Mr. Han Sol,” I said to him in English.
No response at all.
He did not react when I pointed my camera at him, but simply kept walking without expression.
He seemed to be used to the media.
The youth believed to be Kim Han Sol did not utter a word all the way to school.
He was so confident and so aloof that it felt almost refreshing to be in his presence.
Store front of Willem van der Bijl's stamp and coin shop on Zandelstraat in Utrecht (Photo: RTV Utrecht)
A Dutch citizen held by DPRK authorities during the summer of 2011 has given a media interview about his detention. Willem van der Bijl, a Utrecht shop owner and stamp collector, was detained and interrogated by the north’s Ministry of State Security for nearly two weeks from 29 July to 12 August. Van der Bijl told NRC Handelsblad that he was arrested on espionage charges and kept in a 2 m by 3 m (6 ft by 9 ft) cell, surrounded by four armed guards. He was interrogated three times a day, at 90 minute intervals, by two DPRK officials. When not being interrogated, Van der Bijl spent 15 hours per day sitting in the chair in his cell. Radio Netherlands Worldwide has a gist of the interview in its daily review of the Dutch press:
Philatelist Willem van der Bijl spent two weeks in a North Korean cell. The authorities mistrusted his Korean contacts and his collection of souvenirs. Not to mention the surreptitious snaps of an old village on his laptop: “You are trying to convince your leaders that our country is poor!” he was told.
Mr Van der Bijl’s account of his ordeal confirms quite a few suspicions about life under the Communist dictatorship. “I was in a cell, two by three metres with only a bed and a hard chair. I had to sit on the chair for 15 hours a day. I was surrounded by four soldiers 24 hours a day. I’m a positive fellow but it’s no wonder I began to lose my mind.” Thankfully he did not suffer any physical violence and after copying out a nine-page confession, he was eventually released.
So what was he doing in North Korea in the first place? “I love the people there,” he says. “They are sweet and naive … I’m an inquisitive soul, always have been. And it’s a fascinating place.” He admits he’s addicted and itching to go back. But he sighs “my friends and family won’t let me.”
Van der Bijl traveled to the DPRK 24 times, since 1998. He was presumed missing on or about 30 July 2011, when he was not his return flight to Holland. His colleagues and neighbors presumed that he had been detained. While he was under arrest, DPRK media published a short essay about elections to local power organs which was supposedly written by Van der Bijl and carried an image of him wearing a party lapel pin.
